Why you shouldn't celebrate until you've won

Celebrating one stride too soon cost Molly Huddle a medal. Photo / BBC / Screengrab

An American distance runner lost the Bronze medal at the World Athletics Championships in Beijing after she raised both of her arms in celebration before the finish line, easing up in her final few strides.

The bronze medal went to American Emily Infeld (31.43.49), who pipped Molly Huddle (31:43.58) on the line the women's 10,000 metres when her American teammate slowed to celebrate what she thought was going to be third place.

"In that last half step, I just let up too much," said a hugely disappointed Huddle.

"Emily was right there the whole time with just more momentum. She got that bronze. It's going to take a long time to get over. I just didn't want to mess up on the last lap and I did. I don't know when that chance will come again."

Infield's was the first world championship medal for a non-African born runner in the women's 10,000m since her compatriot Kara Goucher won bronze in Osaka in 2007.

"I just ran through the line,' Infield said. "I feel a little guilty because I feel like Molly let up a little. I don't think she realised how close I was. I was just trying to run through the line. I'm really thrilled."

Huddle's celebratory expression changed shortly after she realized she was passed by one of her teammates. She cringed as she buried her face in her hands.

US runners Shalane Flanagan, left, Emily Infeld, middle, and Molly Huddle look at the times following the women's 10,000m final at the World Athletics Championships in Beijing. Photo / AP

"I thought one of the Ethiopians was to my right, and I looked, and she wasn't,' Huddle said in an interview on Universal Sports. And I just ... Emily slipped on the inside as I eased up a bit. She got this once-in-a-lifetime moment. I feel like it kind of slipped through my fingers, so it's frustrating."

Huddle said the crowd noise was so loud on the final lap that she couldn't tell who was near her at the end.

"When the bell rang, I thought, 'Anybody could take this'," she said. "It wasn't me today."

The race was still a step up in distance for Huddle, 30, who was 11th in the 5000 metres at the 2012 Olympics and sixth at the 2013 World Championships. Last year she ran the second-fastest 10,000 time in the world, (30:47.59).

- Daily Mail